Srate



July 31, 1923.

W. W. LEACH Filed April 20, 1921 /rffr 2 Shoots-Sheet 2 ,residing at Mansfield, in 4land and State of Ohio,

rumba July 3,1, i923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. f

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To all whom #may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. LEACH, a citizen of the United States of America,

the county of Richhave invented oertain new and useful Improvements in Crates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to crates and is especiall adapted for shipping piles or acks `o polished and oile sheet metal.

he conventional manner of crating, shi pin and transporting sheet metal is to pi e a p urality of metal sheets closely and compactly together arranged in two packs at each end of a car or the like and adjacent to each side thereof. The ends of the sheets toward the door of the car are preferably raised to ru'n at an incline toward the end of the car. Each pack of sheets is supported above the Hoor of the car. The ends of the sheets at or adjacent'to the door of the car are blocked or held in lace by a frame work which is arranged an constructed, so as to prevent t-he sheets from sliding or shifting on each other toward the door of the car. The other ends of the sheets are prevented from slidin in the other direction by the ends of t e car.

A frame-work is interposed between both packs or piles of sheet metal at each end of the car to prevent sidewise movement of the sheets upon each other, due to the vibration, jarring of the car, bumping against other cars, switching or kicklng in a car when cut from another. The sheets frequently because of the fact that they are polished and oiled shift or move upon each other, thereby mutilating and bending the edges of the sheets, scratching the surfaces thereof and at times in transporting same they are thrust against the sides or ends of the car wrecking and demolishing the sides or ends of the car by the impact of the sheets against the car. It is often therefore necessary for the consignes to return the sheets to the consignor on account of the damage done to the sheets in transportt will be readily apparent that considerable labor and material is wasted in packing and blocking the piles of sheets in the car to prevent same from moving with respect to each other or sliding or shifting upon each other thereby scratching the sup' faces thereof (orv otherwise damaging same) if there happens to be dbris between the sheets in the pile.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a crate into which a pile of sheets can be acked (for trans ortation) of the same or ierent sizes which is provided with supporting members, clampin standards, and means of surrounding an connecting the clamping standards with a series of adjustable criss-cross clampinvr braces which are adapted to be adiust'ed sidewise or endwise independently A01E each other forcing the corners of the clamping standards against the sides and ends of the pile of sheets thereby securely holding, maintaining and clamping the pile of sheets in the crate and preventing the sheets from moving on or with respect to each other.

Another object is to provide means which is associated `with -the supporting means of the crate to revent the crate from moving from a preetermined position.

A further object is to provide means of constructing a crate that is adapted to be packed with metal sheets or the like consisting of two different sizes and widths of sheets.

A further object is to provide a crate for shippin and transporting a plurality of oiled an polished sheet metal in piles with means of readily and conveniently disassembling the crate when the shipment has reached its destination (or the consignee) to permit the crate ,to be returned to the consignor to be used again by the consignor for shipping other piles of metal sheets to the same or another destination or consignor. A

These and other objects are attained in the construction shown in 'the accompanying drawings in which Flg. 1, is a side elevation in (perspective showmg the assembled crate an a pile of sheets clamped within the crate.

Fig. 2, is an end view of Fig. 1, showing in section strips of wood attached to the supporting means.

Fig. 3, is a broken detail view of the preferred form of supporting means showing the strips extending above the flanges of the channel bar supporting means with V shaped cleats formed thereon for the purpose penetrating the floor of the car to resist movement of the crate from its pre-determined position as placed in the car.

Fig. 4, is a modified form of Fig. 3, showing a series of lips pressed from the web of the channel bar supporting means, to prevent movement or slippage of the crate.

In the accompanying drawings reference numerals 1 and 2 represent channel shaped supporting members having V shaped cleats 3 formed on the web portions thereof. The flanges 6 and T are provided with shouldered portions 4 and 5. Y

ln the application of the supporting members the web portions are placed in the car adjacent to the floor leaving the fianges 6 and 7 extending upwardly. Strips of wood or the like 8 are fitted between the flanges 6 and 7 leaving the upper surfaces non-metallic for supporting the pile of sheets. The strips are fastened to the webs of the channel bar supporting members by wood screws 10. Standards 11-11 having longitudinal sleeve members 12 are fitted to the supporting members extendin over the top and on each side thereof. he free ends of the socket members are inturned at 13 and 14 to slidably fit into the shouldered portions 4 and 5 of the supporting members. The standards 11-11 are securely held stationary at one end of the supporting members by bolts 15.

Similar auxiliary standards 16--16 are slidably fitted to the supporting members in opposed relation to the stationary standards 11-11. The auxiliary slidable standards are formed and constructed exactly the same as the stationary standards. The sides of the standards 16-16 are provided with one or more'tapered lug portions 17-17 having apertures formed in the centers thereof.

The lugs 17-17-are preferably located adjacent to the upper rtion of the standards. The sides of t e standards are also provided with enlarged angularly related lug portions 18-18 having open slots 19-19 formed therein. The ends of the standards are also provided with enlarged angular-ly related lug portions 21-21 having open slots 22-22 formed therein.

The crate as described comprises two separate units, each consisting of a sup orting member and two standards one mova le the other stationary.

The clamping mechanism for connecting the standards of each unit together for the complete crate will now be described. The supporting members 1 and 2 are used in association with the stationary clamping standards 11-11 which are secured to the supporting members as described and the movable clamping standards 16-16 which are mounted upon the supporting members in opposed relation to the stationary standards. When it is desired to pile the sheets,

1,4es,51a

as shown at A in the crate, the supporti members 1 and 2 are placed in the car para lel to each other and spaced an appropriate distance apart from each other to correspond with the width of the sheets it is desired to transport.

The construction of the clamping mechanism is as follows Eye-bolts 23-23 having a series of links 24-24 attached thereto pass through apertures in the tapered lugs 17-17 and one unit of each series links 24--24 which are connected thereto is fitted to the slots 19-19 leavin the ends of the next adjacent and succee ing links toward the bottom of the standard abutting against the countersunk portions of the lu 18-18 in right angular relation to the links fitted within the slots 19-19 of the lugs 18-18. Similar eye- `bolts and links comprising a chain are connected to the standards on the opposite side of the crate in a similar manner.

It will be noted that the duplicate clam ing means are arranged and connected to t e opposed standards in criss-cross relation on each side of the crate relative to the pile of sheets and also at the ends thereof.

Tapered lugs 25--25 are provided on the ends of the clam ing standards with central apertures forme therein. The lugs 25-25 are preferabl located between the lugs 17-17 formedY on the sides of the clamping standards. The threaded ends of the eyebolts 26-26 engage the apertures formed in the lugs 25-25.

A series of links 27-27 are attached to the eye-bolts 26-26 and one of each series of links 27--27 fits within each open slot 22-22 formed in the lugs 21-21 and the next succeeding lower link abuts against the countcrsunk portion of lugs 21-21 at right angles to the links 27-27 which are fitted within the slots 22-22.

It will be noted that the threaded ends of each eye-bolt is connected to one of the clamping standards and also one of the links l of each chain is connected to the other stand- `ard in a criss-cross relation along each side and at each end of the crate.

The adjustable clamping mechanism comprising the parts 26-26 and 27-27 provide means of compressing binding and clamping the sheets in a sidewise direction and in combination with the parts 23,-23 and 24--24 which are arranged on the sides securely clam and bind the sheets at the corners endwise, thereby maintaining the pile of sheets in pla and preventing the sheets from becoming damaged by sliding upon or away from each other, due to shocks incident to the strain, vibration, jar, switching, impact or bumping of the cars against each other in transporting the piles of sheets. The cleats 13 or lips 31 prevent the assembled crate from shifting in the car from its'pro r position. The li s or cleats are adaptede to penetrate into t e floor of the car to resist any tendency of the crate to shift or move in the car when the car 1s subjected to the stress and strain in cident to transporting the piles of sheets 1n the car from one terminal to another.

The upper ed 33-33 of all of the standards are inc ned in opposed relat1on to each other to rmit the sheets'to be gulded easily andecbnveniently between the clamping standards when the crate xs being packed.

The supporting members land 2 can be made of any length or width desired to accommodate diilerent sizes and widths of sheets. It will also be noted that the portions of the clamping standards forming the corners thereof can be made any size de sired. The nuts 29-29 rovide for the adjustment of the clampmg standards and clamping function of the clamping mechanism.

If it is desired to crate and ship sheet metal of diierent lengths and widths in the same crate, the clamping members can be adjusted to receive the largest size an l blocks of wood or the like can be fitted at the ends or sides to equal the difference in the sizes of the sheets acked in the crate. The clamping stan ards are made ri hts and lefts to provide corners in oppose relatlon to each other.

It is not intended to limit the present invention to a means or method for packing arid shipping sheet metal as it is obvious that it can beused for shipping and transporting material of di'erent kinds, forms and shapes without deviating from principle involved in the present invention.

I claim:

1. In a crate, separate supporting members, standards having `corners provided thereon rigidl secured to the supporting members, stan ards having corners provide thereon slidably mounted on the supporting members, and means to adjust the movable standards lengthwise on the supporting members.

2. In a crate, separate supporting members, standards havin corners provided thereon rigidly secure to the supportin members. standards having corners provide thereon slidably mounted on the supporting members,`means to adjust the movable standards lengthwise on the supporting members, and means to adjust the standards sidewise with respect to each other.

3. In a crate for shipping sheet metal, separate and independently movable means to support a pack of sheets, adjustable clamping means for clamping the corners of the sheets which are mounted on the supporting means and adapted to be forced to exert a frictional clamping pressure upon the other. and

sides and ends of the sheets at the corners thereof.

4. In a crateF for shi ping sheet metal, separate and independent y movable means to support a pack of sheets, adjustable clam ing means for clamping the corners of e sheets which are mounted on the supportlng means and adapted to be forced to exert a frictional clamping pressure upon the sides and ends of the sheets at the corner thereof, and means provided on the bottom of the supporting means to prevent slippage of the crate as described.

5. In a crate, means to support a pile of sheets consisting of two separate upturned channel bar members having strips of wood attached to the web portion between the flangeshaving lip surfaces and extending above the flanges, standards mounted upon the supporting means, and adjustable clamping means surrounding said standards which are adapted to be adjusted to move the standards sidewise and lengthwise in contact with the sheets as described.

6. A crate for sheet metal comprising a supporting member in combination with a movable and a non-movable corner standard which standards are mounted on the supporting member and clampin means connected to said standards, as escribed. 7. A standard for sheet metal crates havmg a horizontal shouldered sleeve member angular members forming corners provided thereon, lugs formed thereon at right angles to each other and clampinu means connected to said lugs for the purpose described.

8 In ashlpping crate for sheet metal, the comblnatlon of supporting members adapted to be spaced apart in parallel relation to each other, stationary and slidable clamping standards mountedrthereon, and an adjustable clamping mechanism connected to the clamping standard and adapted to force the clamping standards in frictional contact with the sides and ends of a pile of sheet metal as described.

9. Ina shipping crate for sheet metal, supportingr members provided with shoulde red portions, non-metallic strips fitted to said members, clamping standards provided with horizontal apertures adapted to fit the supporting members, lugs formed on the clamping standards at right angles to each a clamping mechanism connected to said lugs whereby the clampingr standards' are moved sidewise and endwise for clamping the sheets in the crate, as and for the purpose described.

10. In a shipping crate, supporting members, stationary and movable clamping standards mounted thereon, and means to draw the standards sidewise and endwise for clamping purposes as and for the purpose described.

11. In a shlpping crate, supporting means consistin of two separate parts adapted to be space apart in di'erent parallel relations to each other, stationary and movable clamping standards having corners formed thereon, mounted on the supporting means, lugs formed on the clamping standards, adjustable clamping braces secured to the lugs in criss-cross relation to each other and adapted to draw the corners of the standards in contact with the ends and sides of a pile of sheet metal as described.

12. In a shipping crate, separate and independently movable means to support a pile of sheet metal, means to provide an ad'ustable sheet receptacle which is mounte on said' supporting means, and means to clamp the adjustable receptacle against the ends and sides of a pile of sheet metal as and for the purpose described.

13. In a crate, supporting members composed of channel bars having non-metallic strips secured between the flanges thereof, movable and non-movable clamping standards fitted to said supporting members` and means to draw said clamping standards endwise and sidewise to frictionally contact with a pile of sheet metal to securely clamp the sheets for the purpose intended.

14. In a sheet metal crate, supporting members composed of channel bars having non-metallic strips secured between the flanges thereof, movable and non-movable clamping standards fitted to said supporting members, means to draw said clamping standards endwise and sidewise to frictionally contact with a pile of sheet metal for clamping purposes and means to prevent the crate from moving from a pre-determined position in the car.

15. In a sheet metal crate, separate and independently movable supporting members, a plurality of opposed clamping standards mounted on the supporting members and means to clamp the clampin standard against the metal sheets as and or the purpose described. v

16. In a crate, the combination of two parallel supporting members ada ted to be spaced apart at a pre-determine distance with respect to each other, a pair of standards xedly secured to the supporting members, another pair of standards slidably mounted on said supporting members and in alinement with a fixed pair of standards and means secured to the standards to permit the adjustment of the standard laterally.

17. In a crate, the combination of two parallel supporting members adapted .to be spaced apart at a predetermined distance with respect to each other, a pair of standards ixedly secured to the supportingmembers, another pair of standards s idablyr mounted on said supporting members and in alinement with the xed pair of standards, means secured to the standards to permit the adjustment of the standard laterally andmeans to permit the adiustment of the standards in a longitudinal direction.

18. In a crate adapted for receiving a pile o f'sheet metal of rectangular form, comprising separate and independently movable means to support said pile of sheets, and means to inclose the corners of said pile of sheets mounted upon said supporting members and means to clamp the pile of sheets in a sidewise and endwise direction.

19. In a sheet metal crate for shipping a pack of thin metal sheets, comprising sepa rate movable means for supportingl said pile of sheets, clamping means fxedly secured to said movable supporting means, clamping means slida-bly supported on said movable means in opposed relation to the first mentioned clamping means and adjustable clamping means positioned and connected t0 the sides and ends thereof to adjustably clamp and hold the clamping means against the ends and Sides of the sheets at the corners of the pile of sheets, as and for the purpose described.

20. In a sheet metal crate, comprising separate and independently movable supporting means, standards mounted on said supporting means rovided with corner portions which are a apted to enclose the corners of a pile of rectangular sheets of metal adjustable means secured to the standa and adapted to move said standards in an endwise and sidewise direction for the purpose of clamping the pile of sheets therein as and for the purpose described.

21. In acratai pair of parallelsu porting members havingI cleats formed on the lower portion, runners secured tothe upper portion and the supporting members, a pair o standards secured to said supporting means, another pair of standards slidably secured to said supporting means. and in alinement therewith, means comprising eye bars and link chains secured to said standards in right angular relation 4to each other` which are adapted to move the standards in endwise and sidewise relation to the pile of sheets for clamping purposes as and for the purpose described.

22. In a crate adapted for receiving for shipment a pile of rectangular sheets of steel, a pair of parallel supporting members made of two kinds of material and adapted to be moved in sidewise relation to each other, a pair of clamping members tixedly secured to said supporting members co-operating with another pair of standardsl which are slidably mounted on said supportinomeans and means of clamping the pile o sheets in a sidewise and endwise direction at and adjacent to the corners of the rectangular sheets as and for the pu ose descri 23. In a crate, the com ination of horizontal supporting members having a plurality of standards mounted thereon, part of said' standards being .movable toward the other for clamping pur'oses, clamping means connecting said stan ards in a longitudinal direction and elampin means connecting said andards in a s1 ewise direction, both of said clamping members being adapted to clamp a pile of sheet metal or the like, as and for the purpose described.

24. In a crate, parallel supporting members comprising a channel member having cleats formed thereon,4 wooden runners secured thereto, fixed standards provided with corner portions securely attached to said suppo members, movable standards slidably mounted upon said channel mem bers and adapted to be moved to aiid from the ixed standards, means secured to the standards'at the ends and" sides thereof to adjust the standards in a sidewise and endwise direction, as and for the purpose described.

25. In a crate for packing rectangular sheets of metal, separate and independently movable means to support a pile of sheets, means vto enclose the corners of said pile of sheets and adjustable means to clamp the pile of sheets at ithe corners thereof laterally and longitudinally, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof IMlix m signature.

WILLIAM W. EACH. 

